National Biodiversity Conservation Specialist (Vanuatu Nationals only)

Organizational Setting

The Integrated Sustainable Land and Coastal Management (ISLCM) project is a five-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Vanuatu Government. FAO is the Implementing Agency (IA) and is providing the technical support to the Vanuatu Government in implementing the project. The Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Agriculture, Quarantine, Forestry and Fisheries are the Executing Agencies and national counterparts for the project. The project will be working closely with other partners within the public and private sectors as well as with members of the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). The overall goal of the project is to test and implement sustainable and integrated management of forest, land and marine resources to achieve effective ridge-to-reef (R2R) conservation in selected priority watersheds in Vanuatu.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall administrative leadership of FAO Sub-regional Representative for the Pacific Islands in Samoa and under the direct technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the National Project Coordinator (NPC), the National Project Officer (NPO) as well as with close collaboration and consultation with the Vanuatu GEF Operational Focal Point (OFP) and with relevant Government Ministries and national counterparts on the project islands, the National Biodiversity Conservation specialist (NBCS) will undertake the following tasks listed below

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide extensive technical support in the following thematic areas: Biodiversity and natural resource management; design of Protected Areas, the definition of PA management strategies and the formulation and promotion of practices for the management of productive landscapes (agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries) in such a way as to optimise their global environmental benefits. In addition, good knowledge and experience in conducting preliminary Biodiversity Situation Assessment through Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal and defining the protocols for the measurement of project indicators related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Advise on and oversee the implementation of project strategies with implications for the conservation of biodiversity and other global environmental values, including the design of PAs, the definition of PA management strategies and the formulation and promotion of practices for the management of productive landscapes (agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries) in such a way as to optimise their global environmental benefits; • Liaise with partner institutions working on biodiversity conservation, research and natural resource management issues in order to ensure effective collaboration and interchange of information and research results; • Advise and take lead in the development of terms of reference for thematic consultants and other specialists collaborating with the project in studies related to biodiversity and natural resource management, and participation in the studies as appropriate in order to maximise their relevance and their contribution to project management decisions and strategies for biodiversity conservation and resource management promoted by the project; • Advise on the definition of protocols for the measurement of project indicators related to Biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management, ensuring their accurate and timely measurement, and advising on how to reflect the results of the measurements in project management decisions; • Carry out any other tasks and activities as and when required by CTA, LTO and PMU. • Terms of Reference for Specialists developed • Preliminary Biodiversity Situation Assessment in Project Sites through Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal conducted. • Quarterly Reports on developments and progress within Protected Areas submitted

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National Vanuatu • A university degree related to biology and natural resources management • At least 5 years of experience related to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management • Working knowledge of English and Bislama

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills • Ability to lead and work as part of a multidisciplinary team and to collaborate effectively with project partners • Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills; • Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/